Lock for automatic connecters



4 Jan 1927 M. A. BARBER LOCK FOR AUTOMATIC GNNECTERS 5 sheets-Shen 1Filed Nov 10. .1923

IZ 'Nl/ZA/z'oya 37( g ea @Mig Z-i/ 79ML;

Jan. 4,1927. 1,612,962

M. A. BARBER LOCK FOR AUTOMATIC GONNECTERS Filed Nov. 10. 1923 3Sheets-Shen 2 ffy i A f&.////// MLN M. A. BARBER Jan.. 4, 1927.1,612,962

LOCK FOR. AUTOMTIC -CONNECTERS Filed Nov. 1o. 1923 3 sheets-sheet sPatented Jan. 4, 1.927.

UNITED STATES MARTIN A.l BARBER, or CLEVELAND, omo.

LOCK FOR AUTOMATIC CONNECTERS.

Application filed November 10, 1923. Serial No. 674,088.

This invention relates to automatic train pipe connecters and isvparticularly concerned with the provision of means for maintaining aclose fitting engagement between connected heads when in coupledposition.

A device for locking coupled connecter heads heretofore used, embodies aspring pressed latch, which is carried by one head and is arranged toengage a shoulder in ay coacting head. An objection frequently raised,however, to the spring pressed latch is the fact that the spring is aptto weaken or break whereupon the operativeness of the locking device isimpaired.

One of the objects of my invention therefore, is the provision ofl alocking device which is positively actuated so as to effect a lockingand an unlocking of coacting connecter heads, without necessitating theuse of yieldable means for actuating the locking device.

.ifa further object of my invention is the attainment of a lockingdevice which is quite simple in construction and which may be readilyattached to existing automatic conneeters.

The means for carrying out my invention will hereinafter be fully setforth in the following description which pertains to the accompanyingdrawings. The essential characteristics of my invention will besummarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pair of coupledconnecter heads embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of anuncoupled head; Fig. 3 is a seetion taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2;Fig. l is a fragmentary section taken on an enlarged scale through apair of connected heads; Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section throughthe lock; Fig. 6 is 'a bottom plan view of an automatic connecter havingmy invention applied thereto; and Fig. 7 is a detail view on an enlargedscale showing a bottom plan view of the connection between the ejectorand the spring seat.

My invention is adapted for use with va'rious forms of connecters but inthe drawings l have illustrated it in connection with a form ofautomatic connecter having a spring-pressed coupler head supported bythe draw bar of a train coupler and provided on one side with aprojection and on the other side with a recess. Thisl construction isindicated in the v'ariousgu-res wherein A indicates the draw bar of arailway car, B the coupler thereof, and C the bracket depending from thedraw bar and carrying the automatic connecters to which the train pipesare adapted to be attached.

The automatic connecter illustrated comprises a head 10 having orificesat 11, 12 and 18 for receiving the air signal pipe, the air brake pipeand the steam pipe respectively. rlhese orifices, as shown, are arrangedin a vertical line adjacent the center of the head and are positionedintermediate the projection 14 and recess 15. Each head is shownashaving a shank 16 which has a sliding and universally movableconnection with the bracket C and as havi ing a strong compressionspring 17 surrounding the shank which presses the head away fromk thebracket, so that in normally coupled position the springs arecompressed.

My invention' is concerned with the provision of a lock for retainingthe connecter heads in coupled position, and to this end l haveillustrated my lock as comprising a plunger which is carried by one headso as to be movable relatively thereto, to eifect a locking andunlocking action with a coacting connecter head.

The locking mechanism shown in the present application embodies a casing2O which has a hollow interior and which is arranged to be rigidlyconnected lwith the lower wall of the projection 14. The casing may have.a pair of openings 21 and 22 which are arranged to align with anopening 23 in a plunger 25. An ejector' 30 extends between the arms 26formed by the opening 23 and also through the openings in the casing. Apin 27 may be carried by the plunger for operatively connecting it withthe ejector. The plunger is adapted to be ejected from the casing forlocking the coacting heads in coupled position and to be withdrawn intothe casing to permit uncoupling of the heads.

The ejector comprises a relatively stationary member, one end 29 ofwhich may be threaded to engage the spring seat 32 and the other end ofwhich is provided with a slot through which the pin 27 extends. As shownin Figs. 6 and 7, the axis of the spring seat is in alignment with theaxis of the threaded portion 29 of the ejector. An advantage of havingthe ejector carried by the seat is thatneither vertical nor horizon-talmovement of the' headwithrelation to the bracket, causes movement of theejector with relation to the plunger. Accordingly the coupled heads aremaintained in locked position when the cars are rounding a curve.

The walls ot the slot arovide a cam which moves the pin QT so as toreciprocate the plunger whenever the head is moved with relation to thesupport therefor. The shape of the cani slot is such that when the headsare in uncoupled position then the pin 2? occupies the upper reach 2liot the slot, in which position the, plunger is withdrawn into thecasing. When the heads are in. coupled position then the pin occupiesthe lower reach 36 ot the slot which causes the plunger to be ejected'from the casing'. The downward n'iovement ot the pin 2i' is caused byengagement with the inclined portion 3 which extends between the upperand lower reaches respectively. This inclined port-ion, moreover7 is soarranged that the connecter heads may be readily coupled and uncoupledwithout interference from the projecting portion of the plunger.

To prevent damage to any oli the operating parts ot the locking devicedue to any cause which may prevent entrance of the plunger into theopening` 39, l have provided yieldable releasing means tor permittingthe ejector to move verticallyv with relation to the casing. In thepreferred `torni, this means comprises an abutment, such as a washer l()which is adapted to rest against a shoulder il?) in the casing above theejector. A spring` el held in place by a cap l2 holds the washer inengagement with the shoulder. Under normal conditions, the plunger ismoved vertically whenever the ejector is reciprocated through thecasing. ln case an obstruction prevents the plunger from being ejected`trom the casing', then the 'r'orce which tends to eject the plunfferalso tends to compress the spring il, wherefore the ejector may move1upwardly with relation to the casing` and thereby prevent shearing ofthe piu 2T. rlrhe position ot the ejector when raised with reference tothe casing' is illus- The ejector is suticiently trailed in Fig. o. longso that'it` may be snrnng upwardly a sutlicient amount to permit passageol. the pin trom the upper reach 35 to the lower reach Btl.

AssumingY that a pair ot connecter heads are provided with a lockingdevice made in accordance with my invention and assuming further thatthe cars to which the connecters are attached are uncoupled, then thepin 27 is each plunger will occupy the up per reach ot the associatedcam slot in the ejector 30, wherefore each plunger will be withdrawninto the associated casing. Assuming now that the cars are being coupledthen the` initial couplingaction causes the connecter heads to be movedbackwardly with relation to the support, thereby co1npressing thesprings 17 and causing` the pins 27 to be moved backwardly and toapproach the inclined portion 3S ot each cam slot. As the head is beingmoved rearwardly the pins 27 are forced downwardly, thus causing theassociated 'plungers to be ejected from the casing. lllhen the plungersare ejected, then the heads are prevented from separating by reason ofthe tact that each plunger is adapted to engage a shoulder 3? which com`prises the wall ot an opening in the coacting rece-fs. Upon theuncoupling ol' the cars the initial movement ot the head relatively lothe support causes the pins 27 to ascend the inclined portions 38 of theassociated cam slots, thus raising' the plunger and withdrawing` theminto the casing,betore the separating operation ot the coacting head isaccomplished.

ln view of the foregoing description it will be understood that myinvention provides nieans tor insuring a positive actuation ot thelocking members consequent upon coupling` and uncoupling` ot the cars.Moreover my invention embodies a simple device which may be readilyattached to existing connecters.

l claim:

l. ln an automatic train pipe connecter the combination with arelatively stationary support, ot a connecter head, a plurality ogtmembers providing a universal connection between the head and support, alocking` device carried by the head and an ejector eX tendingl forwardlyot the support and coV operating4 with said device tor coupling the headto be locked to a coacting connecter head, said ejector being` mountedon one of the .tirst mentioned members whereby the head maj be eitherswung horizontally or mov-ed call with reference to the supportnf'ithoutcausingl relative motion oi' the ejector with reference to the head.

2. ln an automatic train pipe connecter the conibiviation with aconnecter head, oit a support there'tor, a universal joint between thehead and the support, said joint includinfga spring sea-t movable upon avertical axis, a latch. carried by thehead and mov-- able with referencethereto for locking` the head to a coacting connecter head and a membermounted 'on the springseat and cooperatingv with the latch to move thelatch with reference to the head whenever the head is moved in alongitudinal direction with reference to the support, the connectionbetween the head and spring seat permitting' the head to be swunghoriontally with reference to the support without causing,` relativemotion between the member and head.

3. ln an automatic train pipe connecter the' combination with a support,of a head having a shank thereon extending toward the support, a springsurrounding the shank, a spring seat intermediate the spring andsupport, a plunger carried by the head and movable relatively theretoand means rigidly attached to the spring seat and operatively connectedto the plunger for imparting motion to the plunger relatively to thehead whenever the head is moved in a direction longitudinally of theshank and relatively to the spring seat, the connection between saidmeans and spring' seat permitting the head to be either swunghorizontally or moved vertically with reference to Ythe support withoutcausing relative motion between said head and said means.

l. In an automatic train piper connecter, the combination with aconnecter head, of a suport therefor, a rigid member associated with thesupport, said memberhaving a cam slot therein adjacent the forward endthereof, a latch carried by the head. said latch having a portionthereof enteringsaid cam slot whereby movement of the head in either aforward or backward direction with relation to the member effects apositive actuation of the latch.

5. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with aconnecter head, of a support therefor, a spring seat engaging thesupport, a relatively stationary member in threaded engagement with theseat, said ineniber having a cam slot therein, said slot comprising anupper portion, a lowerl portion, and an inclined connecting portion, alatch carried by the head and operatively connected with the cam slotthe latch being adapted to occupy the upper portion of the slot when thehead is in uncoupled position and to occupy the lower portion of theslot when the head is in coupled position, and the walls of the inclinedconnecting portion functioning to move the latch positively in oppositedirections during the coupling and uncoupling movement of the connecter.

6. In an automat-ic train pipe connecter, the combination with a head,of a supporting bracket therefor, a pivot bloclr carried by the bracket,a spring seat bearing against said block, a shank carried by the headand projecting through the block and seat respectively, said head havinga projection on one side and a recess on the other side, a

latch carried by the head within the projection, a rigid member forejecting the latch upon movement of the head with relation to thebracket, said member being in threaded engagement with the spring seat,the axis of the threaded portion of said member extending parallel tothe axis 'of the bearing between the spring seat and the pivot block.

7. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a head, ofa support therefor, a casing carried by the head, a plunger movablewithin the casing, an ejector member associated with the support andprojecting through the casing and operatively connected with theplunger, whereby movement of the head towards the support is arranged toeffect an ejectinent of the plunger from the casing, said casing havinga shoulder above said member, a spring pressed abutment engaging theshoulder, said abutment being normally out of contact with the member,but adapted to be engaged thereby consequent upon failure 'of theplunger to be ejected from the casing when the head is moved withrelation to the support.

8. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a head, ofa latch carried thereby, an ejector member operatively connected to thelatch, yieldable means associated with the head and normally out ofengagement with the ejector but adapted to yieldably resist movementthereof consequent upon failure of the latch to be actuated when thehead is moved with relation to said member.

9. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a head, ofa casing carried thereby, a plunger movable within the casing, anejector member operatively connected to the plunger, yieldable meanscarried by the casing and normally out of engagement with the ejectorbut adapted to yieldably resist movement of the ejector consequent uponfailure of the plunger to be ejected from the casing when the head isvmoved wit-h relation to said member.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

MARTIN A. BARBER.

EHU

